Track 3 Session 12

1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Thursday, June 17, 2010

Risk Informed Design Evolution of the Altair Lunar Lander

Streamlined risk modeling enabled the Altair design team to include quantitative risk insights in the system designs and vehicle integration decision making process for the Altair Lander. The quantitative process provided the designers with the ability to envision quantitative risk on a co-equal basis with quantitative performance considerations to create a risk-balanced design for a given mass allocation. This was accomplished with fewer resources than traditional qualitative methods, while thoroughly engaging the designers and stakeholders in the modeling process, resulting in higher quality models and an improved understanding by the design team of the risk implications of their design.

Key Words: Efficient Quantitative Reliability, Reliability in Design, Probabilistic Risk Assessment

Blake Putney

Valador Inc.

Palo Alto, California